Andersonkgisc 9216 D 3

Geometric
Correction,
Orthorectification,
and Mosaicking
March 11
2014
By: Kirsten Anderson
For: Janet Finlay
GISC9216 Digital Image Processing
Assignment 3

Kirsten Anderson
1208 Lansdown Drive Oakville, Ontario L6J 7N6
Phone (289) 259-2790 E-mail kirstenpatrice@gmail.com

May 20, 2014
Assignment 3 Geometric Correction, Orthorectification, and Mosaicking
Janet Finlay
Instructor and Thesis Project Co-ordinator
Niagara College, NOTL Campus
135 Taylor Rd.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0
Dear Mrs. Finlay,
RE: GISC9216 Assignment 3 Geometric Correction, Orthorectification, and Mosaicking
Please accept this letter as a formal submission of Assignment 3 Geometric Correction,
Orthorectification, and Mosaicking for GISC9216, Digital Image Processing.
The purpose of this deliverable is to carry out a polynomial correction, orthorectification, and mosaic on
3 aerial photographs. It was found that root mean square (RMS) errors were higher for the polynomial
correction than for the orthorectification. This caused the overlap of the polinomially corrected photos
to be more prominent in the mosaic than the overlap of the orthorectified photos in the mosaic.
Overlaying the vector files on the mosaicked images showed that the orthorectified mosaic is more
accurate than the polinomially corrected mosaic. Overall, it was determined that orthorectifying an
image is more precise than polinomially correction an image.
If there are technical difficulties regarding the documents or necessary questions regarding the
documents, please contact me at your convenience at (289) 259-2790. Thank you very much for your
time and I look forward to your comments and feedback regarding this deliverable.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Anderson BAH
GIS-GM Certificate Candidate

Enclosures:

Kirsten Anderson

i. Assignment 3 - Geometric Correction, Orthorectification, and Mosaicking

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Executive Summary
This assignment explains two kinds of geometric corrections; polynomial correction and
orthorectification. The polynomial corrections were carried out on three aerial photos of Aberfoyle,
Ontario. Orthorectification was completed on these same three aerial photographs. Once the geometric
corrections were completed, these photos were mosaicked to create a mosaic of the polinomially
corrected photos, as well as a mosaic of the orthorectified photos. In order to identify which geometric
correction was more effective, root mean square errors, the differences between the mosaicked
images, and the overlaid vector files were all compared for each of the geometric corrections. It was
concluded that the orthorectified and mosaicked aerial photo result was more accurate than the
polinomially corrected and mosaicked aerial photo result.

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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Goal ............................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Study Area ..................................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Polynomial Correction Process ..................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Orthorectification Process ............................................................................................................ 3
2.3 Mosaicking Process ....................................................................................................................... 4
2.3.1 Polinomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Images .......................................................... 5
2.3.2 Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Images ....................................................................... 7
3.0 Discussion .......................................................................................................................................... 9
4.0 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 11
5.0 References ...................................................................................................................................... 11

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List of Figures

Figure 1: Mosaicked Airphotos of Aberfoyle, Ontario .................................................................................. 1
Figure 2: Overlap of Images in Polynomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Photos ................................ 5
Figure 3: Overlaid Vector File on the Polynomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Photos ...................... 6
Figure 4: Overlaid Vector File on the Polynomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Photos ...................... 7
Figure 5: Overlap of Images in Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Photos .............................................. 7
Figure 6: Overlaid Vector File on the Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Photos .................................... 8
Figure 7: Overlaid Vector File on the Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Photos .................................... 8
Figure 8: Overlap of Images in Polinomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Photos with Overlaid Roads
Vector File ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 9: Overlap of Images in Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Photos with Overlaid Roads Vector
File ................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Figure 10: Polinomially Corrected Aerial Photo with Overlaid Buildings Vector File ................................. 10
Figure 11: Orthorectified Aerial Photo with Overlaid Roads Vector File .................................................... 10

List of Tables
Table 1: Airphoto Polynomial Correction RMS Errors .................................................................................. 2
Table 2: Airphoto Polynomial Correction Resample Output Cell Sizes ......................................................... 2
Table 3: Point Coordinates on the Film......................................................................................................... 3
Table 4: Airphoto Orthorectified RMS Errors ............................................................................................... 4
Table 5: Airphoto Orthorectified Resample Output Cell Sizes ...................................................................... 4
Table 6: Comparison of Polynomially Corrected and Orthorectified RMS Errors ...................................... 11

List of Appendices

Appendix 1: Map of Polinomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Images of Aberfoyle, Ontario
Using the Polynomial Model ..................................................................................................................... 12
Appendix 2: Map of Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Images of Aberfoyle, Ontario Using the
Camera Model ............................................................................................................................................ 14

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1.0 Introduction
Throughout this assignment, three aerial photos of Aberfoyle, Ontario are to be geometrically corrected
in order to display clearer photos. Two types of geometric corrections will be carried out; a polynomial
geometric correction and an orthorectification of the images. Following the geometric corrections, these
three aerial photos will be mosaicked to create a single image of the town. These two mosaicked
images, created from the geometrically corrected images, will then be compared in order to
demonstrate the advantages of orthorectification (Finlay, 2014).
1.1 Goal
The objective of this assignment is to geometrically correct three aerial photographs and to compare the
results in order to validate the benefits of orthorectifying aerial photos (Finlay, 2014).
1.2 Study Area
The study area consists mainly of the Township of Puslinch, and more specifically, Aberfoyle, Ontario
(Figure 1). Three aerial photographs were used to illustrate the study area.

Figure 1: Mosaicked Airphotos of Aberfoyle, Ontario

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2.0 Methodology
The following outlines the methodology completed for the polynomial correction, orthorectification,
and mosaicking of the three aerial photos in order to accomplish the goal of this assignment.
2.1 Polynomial Correction Process
In order to polynomially correct aerial images, the control points icon under the panchromatic tab must
first be selected. The polynomial geometric model is then selected from the model list. The provided
subset image given for reference was chosen as the new viewer. A minimum of eight ground control
points (GCP)s were then collected for the polynomial correction. After entering four GCPs, the
prediction process gave a good localization of the GCP to be entered. This is because after specifying
four GCP, the program is able to recognize where the airphoto is, relevant to the reference image. The
RMS error is the difference between known location and their corresponding interpolated locations,
ranging from 0 to 1 (ESRI, 2014). There is a root mean square (RMS) error associated with each of the
GCP pairs. Table 1 displays the RMS errors for each of the air photos. Since each of these errors are
below 0.05, the errors are acceptable and the GCPs are accurate enough to be reliable.
Table 1: Airphoto Polynomial Correction RMS Errors
Point ID Photo 1 RMS Error Photo 2 RMS Error Photo 3 RMS Error
GCP #1 0.024 0.017 0.014
GCP #2 0.039 0.012 0.041
GCP #3 0.007 0.010 0.029
GCP #4 0.046 0.020 0.016
GCP #5 0.022 0.028 0.031
GCP #6 0.016 0.015 0.015
GCP #7 0.013 0.012 0.039
GCP #8 0.031 0.018 0.047
GCP #9 0.019 N/A N/A
GCP #10 0.028 N/A N/A

When the reference points were completed, the resample tool was selected. Within the resample tool
window, the output cell sizes were noted (Table 2).
Table 2: Airphoto Polynomial Correction Resample Output Cell Sizes
Airphoto Number Polynomial Correction Resample Output Cell Size
1 0.5032129005
2 0.5015396561
3 0.4991126392

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The default pixel size of each of the three corrected photos is not the same, however they are very close
in size (Table 2). These values are relatively the same because the airphotos were all taken by the same
censor on the same day, therefore the conditions were very similar (Finlay, 2014). The output cell sizes
are slightly different because this value is based on each image on their own, rather than the collective
images.
Note: The steps to carry out a polynomial correction were completed for each of the three aerial photos.
2.2 Orthorectification Process
The first step in the orthorectification process is to select the control points icon under the
panchromatic tab. When prompted to select a geometric model, camera was selected. The provided
subset image given for reference was chosen again as the new viewer. A camera model properties
window is displayed and the inputs are as follows:
Utilize the provided DEM file
Principal Point X = 0.00
Principal Point Y = 0.00
Focal Length = 152.468 mm
Number of Iterations = 5
These values were specified by Janet Finlay. Under the fiducials tab, eight fiducials are specified. Each of
the eight fiducials were assigned coordinates for film X and film Y, shown in Table 3.
Table 3: Point Coordinates on the Film
Point Number Film X Coordinate Film Y Coordinate
1
-110.074 110
2
-0.068 111.999
3
109.93 109.996
4
111.922 -0.004
5
109.919 -110.001
6
-0.083 -112.013
7
-110.084 -110.001
8
-112.078 -0.003

Before the GCPs are entered, the airphoto fiducials were entered. Six GCPs were then specified. After
entering four GCPs for the orthorectification, the predicition process is fairly accurate, more accurate
than the prediction process for the GCPs in the polynomial correction. This is because orthorectification
is more accurate than polynomial correction, since more information regarding the images is required,

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such as; the DEM file for the area, the principal points X and Y, the cameras focal length, and the
number of iterations. There is a root mean square (RMS) error associated with each of the GCP pairs.
Table 4 displays the RMS errors for each of the air photos. Since each of these errors are below 0.05, the
errors are acceptable and the GCPs are accurate enough to be reliable. Again since orthorectificaiton is
more accurate than polynomial correction, the RMS errors for the orthorectification process are smaller.
Table 4: Airphoto Orthorectified RMS Errors
Point ID Photo 1 RMS Error Photo 2 RMS Error Photo 3 RMS Error
GCP #1 0.009 0.012 0.008
GCP #2 0.004 0.007 0.006
GCP #3 0.001 0.003 0.004
GCP #4 0.001 0.006 0.001
GCP #5 0.000 0.007 0.003
GCP #6 0.004 0.007 0.005

When the reference points were completed, the resample tool was selected. Within the resample tool
window, the output cell sizes were noted (Table 5).
Table 5: Airphoto Orthorectified Resample Output Cell Sizes
Airphoto Number Orthorectification Resample Output Cell Size
1 0.5014544783
2 0.5008633248
3 0.5003673962

The default resample output cell sized for these images were very close, closer than those in the
polynomial correction images, however they are not exactly the same (Table 5). They are more similar to
those in the polynomial correction images because, as mentioned previously, orthorectification is more
accurate than a polynomial correction. As stated earlier, the airphotos were all taken by the same
censor on the same day, therefore the conditions were very similar (Finlay, 2014). This could be why the
default resample output cell sizes are very similar. Again, The output cell sizes are slightly different
because this value is based on each image on their own, rather than the collective images.
Note: The steps to carry out the orthorectification were completed for each of the three aerial photos.
2.3 Mosaicking Process
The mosaic pro option, under the raster tab, was used to mosaic the images. The three desired images
were selected and the seamline generation options were set as most nadir seamline. The images that

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are to be mosaicked are then selected and the display raster image icon is selected and the current
mosaic is saved. Appendix 1 shows the layout of the polinomially corrected and mosaicked aerial images
and appendix 2 displays the orthorectified and mosaicked aerial images.
Note: The steps to mosaic the images were completed for the three polynomially corrected airphotos, as
well as the three orthorectified aerial photos.
2.3.1 Polinomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Images
The mosaic of the polinomially corrected aerial photos was fairly accurate, and resembled the expected
mosaic result, created by Janet Finaly in the Terms of Reference for this assignment. There are
differences in the image where the images overlap (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Overlap of Images in Polynomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Photos
The overlaid vector files, containing roads and buildings, is displayed close to the roads and buildings in
the aerial photograph, however, the vector files do not completely overlay the features in the image
(Figure 3).

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Figure 3: Overlaid Vector File on the Polynomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Photos
This shift may be caused because there are RMS errors associated with the polinomially corrected
images, therefore they are not completely perfect. The vector files may also not be exact because they
may have been collected years after the airphotos were taken, meaning that buildings may have been
built prior to the creation of the vector files (Figure 4).

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Figure 4: Overlaid Vector File on the Polynomially Corrected and Mosaicked Aerial Photos
2.3.2 Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Images
The mosaic of the orthorectified aerial photos was very accurate, and also resembled the expected
mosaic result, created by Janet Finaly in the Terms of Reference for this assignment. There are
differences in the image where the images overlap (Figure 5), however, the differences are more subtle
than those in the polinomially corrected aerial photos (Figure 2).

Figure 5: Overlap of Images in Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Photos

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The overlaid vector files, containing roads and buildings, is displayed accurately throughout most of the
image (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Overlaid Vector File on the Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Photos
In other sections of the images, the roads and buildings in the vector file are very far off of the roads and
buildings in the image (Figure 7). As mentioned earlier, this could be due to the fact that the vector files
may have been collected years after the airphotos were taken, meaning that buildings may have been
built prior to the creation of the vector files.

Figure 7: Overlaid Vector File on the Orthorectified and Mosaicked Aerial Photos

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3.0 Discussion
Looking at the overlap of images in the mosaicked files, the overlap for the orthorectified images was
much more discrete than that of the polinomially corrected images. This overlap is shown very distinctly
in areas where the road in one image meets the road in the next. Figure 8 shows a section of road in the
overlap of images in polinomially corrected and mosaicked aerial photos. In this image, it is obvious that
the road on the right does not meet the road on the left. Figure 9 shows the same section of road but
for the orthorectified and mosaicked photos. It is clear, I this image, that the road meets almost
perfectly from photo to photo, meaning that the orthorectified aerial photos are much more accurate
than the polinomially corrected photos.

Figure 8: Overlap of Images in Polinomially Corrected and
Mosaicked Aerial Photos with Overlaid Roads Vector File

Figure 9: Overlap of Images in Orthorectified and
Mosaicked Aerial Photos with Overlaid Roads Vector File

Since the mosaicked images for the polinomially corrected photos are shifted when the images meet,
the vector files are not overlaid properly over the whole image, therefore the orthorectified photos are
more reliable.
The reliability if the mosaicked orthorectified photos, compared to that of the polinomially corrected
photos, is also enhanced when looking at the buildings vector file overlaid on the images. Figure 10
displays a polinomially corrected aerial photo with the buildings vector file overlaid onto it. Without
comparing this image to the orthorectified image, it seems to be very accurate. However, the same
buildings in the orthorectified are overlaid more precisely by the buildings vector file (Figure 11).

Road

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Figure 10: Polinomially Corrected Aerial Photo with Overlaid
Buildings Vector File

Figure 11: Orthorectified Aerial Photo with Overlaid
Roads Vector File

Even though both images display the buildings vector file very accurately, the orthorectified images
display the buildings vector file more accurately than the polinomially corrected images.
Comparing the RMS error for the first polinomially corrected photo and the orthorectified photo, it is
evident that the RMS errors for the polynomial correction is higher than the RMS errors for the
orthorectified photo (Table 6). The differences in RMS errors shows that the orthorectified photos are
more precise than the polinomially corrected photos.

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Table 6: Comparison of Polynomially Corrected and Orthorectified RMS Errors
Point ID Polynomially Corrected
Photo 1 RMS Error
Orthorectified Photo 1 RMS
Error
GCP #1 0.024 0.009
GCP #2 0.039 0.004
GCP #3 0.007 0.001
GCP #4 0.046 0.001
GCP #5 0.022 0.000
GCP #6 0.016 N/A
GCP #7 0.013 N/A
GCP #8 0.031 N/A
GCP #9 0.019 N/A
GCP #10 0.028 N/A
4.0 Conclusion
Looking at the comparisons between the polinomially corrected aerial photos and the orthorectified
aerial photos, it is evident that orthorectification is a more accurate geometric correction than a
polynomial correction. The orthorectified aerial photos were more accurate than the polinomially
corrected aerial photos because the camera model allowed for more information regarding the images
to be included in the geometric correction. This additional information includes; the DEM of the area,
the X and Y Principal Points, the focal length of the camera, the number of iterations, the point
coordinates on the film, the number of fiducial points, and the location of the fiducial points on each of
the aerial photos.

5.0 References
ESRI. (2014). GIS Dictionary. Retrieved March 11, 2014, from ESRI:
http://support.esri.com/en/knowledgebase/GISDictionary/term/RMS%20error
Finlay, J. (2014). Geometric Correction, Orthorectification, and Mosaicking. Niagara-On-The-Lake.

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Appendix 1: Map of Polinomially Corrected and
Mosaicked Aerial Images of Aberfoyle, Ontario Using the
Polynomial Model

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Appendix 2: Map of Orthorectified and Mosaicked
Aerial Images of Aberfoyle, Ontario Using the Camera
Model

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